Murder Victim's Family Opposes Death Sentence for Killer

Associated Press ^ | October 16, 2002

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

The family of a college student who was murdered by a pizzeria worker nearly two years will ask a judge to spare her killer's life. Tom Murray, the victim's father, said Tuesday that the family believes Gregory McKnight should spend the rest of his life in prison but should not be given a death sentence for killing Emily Murray.

"We're going to ask the judge to consider a sentence that would assure McKnight dies in prison, but not in the hands of the executioner," Tom Murray said Tuesday.

A Vinton County Common Pleas Court jury recommended the death penalty for McKnight on Monday, three days after he was convicted of killing Emily Murray, 20, and a second person, Gregory Julious, 20.

Judge Jeffrey Simmons has set sentencing for Oct. 25 for the death of Murray, a junior at Kenyon College in Gambier. Remains of both victims were found on McKnight's property in southeast Ohio in December 2000.

Murray and his wife, Cynthia, issued a statement Monday in which they noted their daughter's opposition to the death penalty.

"We harbor no illusions about McKnight," the statement said. "He is evil, the very embodiment of evil. But it is vitally important to us, Emily's family, to bear witness to her beliefs just as we bore witness to her life during the trial."

The case received national attention when Simmons ruled in August that prosecutors could not seek the death penalty because the county might not be able to afford to mount a proper prosecution and pay for McKnight's defense. He later changed his mind.

[DWSUWF]

Pathetic.

[Bush2000]

I don't have a problem with the family asserting their moral beliefs; after all, the issue of the death penalty is a moral question. No, what I would take issue with is the proposition that this scumbag could get paroled someday.

[Dante3]

Just give the killer the death sentence for the other killing.

[goldstategop]

No life sentence is really a life sentence. Anyway the family can go and ask that the scumbag's life be spared, but they better be careful in wishing they had asked it in the first place. Tony Soprano would not be at all charitable towards the fella.

[OldPossum]

Wonder whether they would maintain this stance if Mr. McKnight were to kill someone in prison who's there for a nonviolent crime, or worse, to escape from prison and kill another person?

[goldstategop]

Addled liberals. It doesn't say what state they live in but they're around in places besides Bezerkeley. There is a Jewish saying that being merciful to the cruel winds up with cruel being cruel to the merciful. As far as I'm concerned this particular family, through its misplaced compassion for a murderer deserves exactly what's it going to get and no, I'm not feeling sorry or shedding any tears over their stupidity.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

A 'right up your alley' *ping*!

[DWSUWF]

"...I don't have a problem with the family asserting their moral beliefs; after all, the issue of the death penalty is a moral question..."

Their 'beliefs' should not trump a policy of putting murders to death.

"...No, what I would take issue with is the proposition that this scumbag could get paroled someday..."

Or escape, or kill in prison.

The legal bar should be appropriately high for a death sentence to be meted out. And it should be as consistent as possible in application.

[chance33_98]

I remember the case from all the local coverage. Kenyon tends to be somewhat liberal and upperclass. This does not surprise me.

One solution, like donor cards have people check off a box on their ID stating whether or not they would want someone who kills them to get the death penalty. Would be interesting to see how people mark that box. :)

[chance33_98]

I would check off that I wanted to donate an organ to them...I will let your imagination guess which and what it would be used for ;)

[ohioman]

What idiot parents!

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Death is too easy. A few minutes of terror, then it's all over.

If I were a convicted killer, I'd rather have the death penalty, wouldn't you? Who wants to spend the rest of their life behind bars?

A life is prison is far, far worse. I think these people have it right.

[DWSUWF]

"...What idiot parents!...

Agree.

[Bush2000]

Their 'beliefs' should not trump a policy of putting murders to death.

They don't trump the death penalty; in this case, a judge is the final arbiter. Their stated opinion is merely another datapoint.

Or escape, or kill in prison. The legal bar should be appropriately high for a death sentence to be meted out. And it should be as consistent as possible in application.

Agree. But personally, I'm opposed to the death penalty on religious grounds. It has nothing to do with my feelings on whether a particular individual deserves to be put to death.